France's Lady of the Left

The possibility that Ségolène Royal could become France's first female President excited many readers, but others questioned whether her popularity will last through a difficult campaign

Ségolène Royal has succeeded by presenting herself as the image of honorable French womanhood and employing the politics of charm [Sept. 18]. She is adept at handling policy issues pragmatically rather than ideologically. Since her partner, Socialist Party secretary François Hollande, has also been touted as a potential presidential candidate, there is an across-the-water parallel. Like Hillary and Bill Clinton in the U.S., this may be another welcome case of getting two...